Kyky Tandy scored 10 points during a 20-2 first-half run that helped carry University Heights Academy past Caldwell County 96-60 in the semifinals of the boys’ 2nd Region tournament Friday night in Madisonville.
It was part of a dominating 36-point performance by the Kentucky Mr. Basketball contender who is headed to Xavier.
Tandy had 32 points by halftime as the Blazers (30-4) built a 62-29 advantage by the break.
Caldwell (19-11), which was looking for its first berth in the regional championship game in 32 years, battled UHA to a 17-17 deadlock through the first 6+ minutes of the contest.
The Tigers even led 11-8 after two Adarius Riley free throws midway through the opening period.
But once Tandy took over, all Caldwell fans could do was watch the show.
Tandy had 20 points in the second quarter alone and, at one point, nailed three straight 3-pointers to help the Blazers take control.
Tandy highlighted the 20-2 run with a thunderous dunk as UHA used a hot-shooting first half to build its big lead and then never looked back.
University Heights was a blistering 72.7 percent from the field in the first half, making 24 of 33 attempts. That included a 10 of 16 showing (62.5 percent) from 3-point land.
Tandy was 13 of 17 from the floor by himself and made eight of 12 3-pointers in the first two periods.
The Blazers led by as much as 42 points in the fourth quarter while heading into Saturday’s championship game on a roll with their eighth straight win.
Tandy added seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and a blocked shot to his total.
Drew McGowan added 20 points for the Blazers while K.J. Crump had 11 points and TaQuan Hollowell had eight points and 10 rebounds.
Derrin Boyd had 19 points and five assists to lead Caldwell, which could not put together a comeback bid like it did Feb. 12 when it fell just 96-91 at University Heights Academy.
John Davis had 17 points and seven boards for the Tigers while Riley added 10 points.
The 2nd Region championship game is set for Saturday at 6 p.m. at Madisonville-North Hopkins High School.
